MODEL INFO

DESCRIPTION

The six wheeled Tyrrell P34 was the first F1 model I built back in 2006, using a mix of Technic and System LEGO parts. Since then, I have made several F1 cars covering about three decades, from late 60s to early 90s, all in 1:8 scale. Due to the small front wheels of the P34, the compact front suspension of the first model was working, but was not as accurate as I would have liked.

That’s why last year I decided to evaluate the possibility of building a detailed and fully working front suspension for this iconic car, taking advantage of all newest parts introduced by LEGO, as well as old and discontinued ones to reproduce this state of the art model in a bigger scale. In fact, the 22969 rims and 32296 big tires that I’ve always used as rear wheels in all previous models, in this case are acting as the “small” front wheels, in a fully independent double front suspension. There is a single central anti-roll bar that reacts to the displacement of the two front axles. At the same time, the steering rack is directly acting on the front axis, while the movement is then transferred to the second axis through a pivot and levers.

As a result, the overall model scale went up to 1:5, and this lead to a completely brick built rear wheel concept, with an internal rigid frame to keep the cylindrical shape and support the model weight without distortion, and an outer layer of rubber elements.

In such a large model, I decided to also include some RC features: XL-motor for driving, servo-motor for shifting, M-motor for steering. All of them are controlled with a powerful BuWizz unit.

The compact 4 speed gearbox is a reinforced mod of Paul Boratko’s solution with the new rotary selector, while the shift drum is based on the concept MK II of P-LEGO, adapted to stay within the side prismatic fuel reservoir.

Obviously, inside the cockpit, the steering wheel rotates while steering, and the shift lever moves as well while shifting.

Other features are the various brake cooling systems (through NACA intakes and hoses for the front axis, and dedicated ducts for intermediate and rear wheels), a 90 degree V8 fake engine with 0.5 stud pitch between banks, air intake cones, two side water cooling radiators, three oil cooling radiators (two paired with water ones, one on the rear wing support), rear suspension with big 11.5L shock absorbers and stabilizing bar, side windows in the cockpit, and more.